Stranded
Chapter 4
Deepwood Motte….
As Jim made his way down the gangplank he was greeted by two familiar faces. The smiling faces of Robett and Sybelle Glover greet him when he steps onto Glover lands.
"Jim, my friend, it is good to see you once again." Robett said.
"It is good to see you as well Rob. Now tell me, who is this lovely young creature besides you? You better take her away before my men see her, they've been at sea for the better part of four days. If they see her they'll surely commit mutiny and steal her away." Kirk said.
This elicits a giggle from the Lady Sybelle Glover.
Jim walks up to Sybelle Glover and kisses her hand.
"My lady, it is a pleasure to see you again." Jim said.
"My lord Mormont. " Sybelle said.
Robett shakes his head at his wife and friend. Jim always seems to pull out the charm when his lady wife isn't around.
"Enough of that, she's a married woman Jim and so are you if you don't remember. " Robett said.
"Alas, you are correct. But, being married doesn't mean that your lady wife is any less beautiful. I'm just stating facts." Jim said.
Robett rolls his eyes while his lady wife gives another small laugh.
"Bah, let's get back to the keep. Galbert wants us to share a midday meal before we get down to business." Robett said.
Jim slumped his shoulders and sighed earning a laugh from both Robett and his wife.
"Rob, you just know how to ruin my day don't you." Jim said.
"But, of course. How else do you think I would get back at a man who openly flirts with my wife?"
Jim grunts. He knew today was going to be a drag. It always was at these meetings. He didn't hate Galbart Glover but, the man could be a stickler when it came to his coppers. He was tempted to just give in and accept any price Galbart mentioned in exchange for his ore but, if he did that, Maege Mormont would have his head. His only consolation was that Vanyan Glover, his Glover counterpart on the Strong Fist (The Enterprise Class frigate the Glovers owned), had to do the same thing with Maege Mormont when he pulled into Bear Island.
"Damn your brother. Can't we make an agreement that would last longer than 2 months?" Jim said.
Sybelle laughed, "Jim you know Galbart. The ores coming in from Last Hearth and the Dreadfort are hardly reliable. Some months we are light and some months we are heave with ore. Galbart can't make a price until he knows how much he has bought from both Bolton and Umber. "
Jim nods his head. He hated medieval economics. The simplicity of supply and demand made his life a living hell sometimes. If only the roads coming to and from Deepwood Motte were more reliable. Banditry and road conditions are what made the price of ore so turbulent every time he came here. Once he met with Galbart, he'd propose a small tax, in order to build new roads coming to and from Deepwood Motte. He just hoped that Galbart's love of coppers didn't overweigh his pragmatism.
Jim, Robett, and Sybelle quickly mounted their horses and rode to the Motte. Deepwood Motte was six miles from Deepwood Harbor so it wasn't much of a ride. As Deepwood Motte got closer, he couldn't help but notice the growing city that now surrounded it. Deepwood Motte, much like Bear Island, was experiencing an unprecedented amount of growth. His steelworks and ship building were the catalyst for much of the growth. His finished goods as well as the steel bar ingots were being sold at a rapid pace. Once merchants from south of the neck got a hold of his steel, Jim knew that Tobho would demand several more furnaces to keep up with their demand.
Jim was driven from his thoughts as the gates of Deepwood Motte opened for him. Jim let out another sigh. It seemed like his little vacation by sea was over. If he was going to haggle with Galbart he'd better have his head in the game, otherwise, favorite good son or not, Maege Mormont would have his head.
30 minutes later…..
Jim, Rob, and Sybelle made their way to Galbart's solar. When they entered they were surprised to see the man Galbart was entertaining.
"Hello Rob, Sybelle, Jim. It has been awhile. "The man said to them as they entered the room.
Rob spoke up first.
"Lord Stark, what a wonderful surprise. What brings you to the Motte?" Rob said.
"Several things actually. Galbart invited me over to see the finishing touches on the four new dry docks he has completed. With Jim making his monthly voyage, I couldn't help but, come. "
They all took their seats.
"It's a pleasure to see you again Lord Stark. I hope Winterfell is well." Jim said.
"It's doing well and for that you have my thanks. When you came to Winterfell with your proposals many years ago, I thought they were just boasts. In warms my heart that all your words weren't just wind." Lord Stark said.
"Well, you wouldn't be the first to say that my words were just hot air turning to smoke the moment it left my mouth." Jim said. Eliciting a laugh from everybody.
Lord Stark laughs before commenting.
"I've heard Maege finally made you take the Mormont name. How did she ever get you to do it?" Stark asked.
"Well, I figured that after I put a runt in Dacey's belly, it was the least that I could do. But, between you and me, everyone on Bear Island still calls me Jim." Jim said with a smile.
Sybelle frowns and asked Jim a question.
"Why do you not correct them? Surely, a lord of your station would want to be recognized." Sybelle said.
"I am recognized my lady. Some men trade on the honor, the gold, and the prestige a noble house provides. I am not those men. My father taught me many things but, the one thing that stood out was this. In the end, men are not judged by their name but, by their deeds. In the end, the kings and the pawns go in the same box. And that box my lady, is six feet underground." Jim said.
Everyone in the room digests Jim's morbid view of the world and they realize how pragmatic it is. It was a little cold but, his analogy was truer than anything they were ever taught.
Lord Stark looked at Jim once more and asked another question.
"I'm curious Jim. Why did Maege agree to help build dry docks in Deepwood Motte? I know have hunch as to why she allowed it but, I want to hear your thoughts about the matter." Stark asked.
Jim thought about the matter for a moment before finally answering.
"That is simple my lord. For all her faults, Maege Mormont, is a highly pragmatic individual. She knew that our shipyards couldn't handle the demand that would be placed upon it once peacetime existed, so she did the next best thing, she partnered up with Lord Glover. In exchange, for the plans to our trading ships and dry docks, Lord Glover has agreed to cut Maege in on 35 percent of his new venture. Since he was a well-respected partner to us and since he had the growing man power to make the dry docks work, Maege didn't see a problem with it." Jim said.
"What about the military fleet?" Lord Stark asked.
Jim turned to his liege lord and smiled.
"Well, that my lord, is why I assume you were given an invitation." Jim said.
Lord Stark raised his eyebrow in question allowing Galbart Glover to jump in. Galbart Glover went over to his desk and took out a scroll.
"I'm sorry Lord Stark, but, this was the real reason I begged you to come." Galbart said before putting a scroll in front of his liege lord.
Ned Stark takes the sheet of paper and reads it. In it he finds two copies of an agreement signed by both Maege Mormont and Galbart Glover. The agreement stated that Deepwood Motte would be allowed to build the hulls for military vessels provided that they are not completed there. Once they were sail worthy, they would sail to Bear Island to get fitted with new weapons and new ballast. It also stated that in exchange for this privilege, the naval college and naval merchant marine college would be based on Bear Island.
Ned looked at Jim and Galbart and smiled.
"I see. It seems that you Glovers and Mormont's are thinking long term. I commend you both on your foresight. Galbart, get some ink, a quill, and some wax." Stark said.
Galbart handed the items over quickly knowing he would need them. Galbart couldn't stop the grin on his face as Lord Stark signed both pieces of paper and adding his seal to the wax markings.
"Well, Lord Glover, Lord Mormont, I believe this calls for a drink." Ned said as he smiled.
Galbart quickly pulls out his best Arbor Gold. He never liked to spend money on such extravagance, but, he figured there would be times that needed such frivolities and this was one of those times.
"To a prosperous future." Kirk said.
"To a prosperous future." The others toasted.
As they celebrated, Kirk, decided to pull out his next surprise. He had been planning this one for a while. Ever since he and Dacey toured Westeros, he had worked nonstop on his plan. Tobho Mott and the Steel works were just one phase of that plan and now it was time to implement phase two.
Jim couldn't help but think about the families he had seen at the farms around White Harbor and the hardships they endured. It was what drove him to hire Tobho in the first place. He couldn't let go of the thought of children starving, mainly because their liege lords thought steel was too expensive to use on ploughs. He had seen the primitive wooden ploughs used by the small folk in the north and couldn't stand it, prime directive be damned. Of course, with Tobho Mott and his primitive Bessimer furnace, the small folk's problems would soon be alleviated.
"Lord Stark, how long do you plan to stay in the Motte?" Jim asked.
"Not very long. I plan to inspect the dry docks and the piers today and I plan to leave on the morrow. My wife is expected to give birth soon and I don't want to miss the event."
"Hmm." Jim said. He thought about his next course of action and made a decision.
"My lord, if you would delay your return to Winterfell for a day, there is something that I want show you." Jim said.
Ned looked at his banner man and smiled. Jim Kirk or Jim Mormont as he was now called, was one of a kind. He was a man of honor and ingenuity. In the span of four years, he had taken Jorah's shame and repaired it with Maege's honor. If such a man wanted to show him something, then he was duty bound to see it. Men like Jim Kirk came once in a generation and when they all but, begged you to see something special, you'd be fool not to accept.
"I guess I could delay one more day. What do you have to show me my lord?" Ned asked.
Jim smiled a true smile. It was times like these that he couldn't help himself.
"I'm sorry my lord but, that is a secret. I could tell you but, then I'd have to kill you." Jim said.
The next day…
They had ridden one hour southeast of Deepwood Motte towards land more representative of the north. The land around Deepwood Motte wasn't a good representation of the northern landscape since it had once been a tidal plain. The ground was much softer and much more fertile than typical northern ground and for Jim's purposes the land just wouldn't do. As they headed towards the Sea of Dragons Peninsula, they saw a circle of wagons and some oxen. The men and wagons were clearly from the Motte but, Jim kept quiet until they were in camp.
After he dismounted he had the lords and ladies join him for a midday meal. It wasn't the most extravagant meal but, in these times, a meal of bread and cheese was downright decadent. When the meal was over, it was Robett that had spoken up first.
"Alright Jim, I'm sure you didn't get us out here just to enjoy a meal so let's get on with it." Robett said.
Galbart just shook his head at his brother's impatience. Jim motioned them towards the clearing where two farmers had set up a wooden plough pulled by a team of oxen.
"Look around you gentlemen what do you see?" Jim asked.
Galbart spoke up first.
"I just see men with a plough." Galbart said.
"Correct my friend. What you see before you is two farmers with an oxen driven plough." Jim said.
He then pointed to the ground.
"As you can see, this is the typical ground found in the north. It is hard and unforgiving. Very difficult land to farm and very labor intensive for farmers." Jim said.
All the lords nod in agreement with Jim's statement. After he sees their nods he motions the farmers to begin. The farmers start driving their oxen making going back and forth making five rows of plowed material.
"As you can see, the standard plough, did not cut very deep. In fact, it would take several more passes with the standard plough in order to turn the soil enough for planting. This makes farming northern soil extremely inefficient." Jim said.
The lords digest his words for a minute before Lord Stark puts two and two together.
"What do you mean by standard plow?" Lord Stark asked already having a slight idea.
Jim smirks at the man and signals his men to bring out the steel plow.
The lords are shocked when they see the men bring out a double bladed steel plow attached to wheels. The men quickly attach the plow to the oxen and have one of the farmers unfamiliar with the tool step forward. The farmer quickly figures out the mechanics of the tool and quickly goes to work. He bids his oxen to go forward and the metal plow easily digs into the unturned ground. The farmer was amazed at how unbelievably easy it was to plow. He had easily plowed three times the amount of land he had done with a wooden plow. As he finished Jim Kirk turned around to see the astonishment at his friends eyes.
"Behold my friends, I give you Kirkenmotts newest creation. The steel plow." Jim said.
"By the gods, do you know what this means?" Ned Stark said.
The lords look onto the newly plowed field and realized its implications. It meant a higher harvest for the lords and the land. It meant that they wouldn't be shackled with the Tyrells or the Lannister's exorbitant prices when the harvest came up short. Simply put, it would mean a surplus in food and grain in the north. It would allow the north to store a surplus away for years instead of having to live hand to mouth wondering if the next harvest would be enough to feed everyone.
Jim smirked again. Now was the time to go ahead with Maege's halfhearted marketing ploy.
"My lords, by word of my liege, Lady Maege Mormont, I am hereby authorized to gift twenty of these steel plows to Glover for their long lasting friendship and loyalty. " Galbart and Robett smile in gratitude for their friend's gift. It would help the small folk of Deepwood Motte to no end.
"Thank you my friend. Tell Lady Maege that her gift is well received and give her our undying gratitude." Galbart said.
Jim then turned to his Winter Lord and said.
"Lord Stark, as your loyal banner, Lady Maege Mormont gifts you 40 of the new steel ploughs in order to show you house Mormont's undying loyalty to house Stark." Jim said.
"Thank you my friend. Your gift will save countless lives. When we get back, do not leave for Bear Island until you get a scroll from me. I want to write Maege a letter, thanking her personally for this." Stark said.
After the demonstration, Ned and the other lords mount their horses and decide to ride back to Deepwood Motte with haste. They had letters to write and orders to fill before the day was done and Jim was on his way back to Bear Island. If Jim was right, the ironworks was about to get slammed and Tobho Mott would soon be an unhappy camper.
Arrgh, I hate the writers brain. One minute it is dry as a sahara and the next minute it is filled with ideas. Hopefully, I can ride this out as long as it lasts. To the fifteen followers following this story, thank you. You are either insane or clearly have an unnatural view of the world if you think this story is anything other than the deranged dellusion of a mad man. Kirk in Westeros! what was I drinking the night I thought this up. Please read and review to tell me what you think.